Convergent network topology discovery and mapping

Abstract

Convergent network topology discovery and mapping. A topology discovery protocol allows for the discovery of the different respective communication links within a convergent network that may become composed of any of a number of different respective network types (e.g., a local area network (LAN), wireless LAN (WLAN/WiFi), a multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) network, a HomePlug network, and a wireless point to point (P2P) system, etc.). Such a topology discovery protocol may be implemented as a Layer 2 peer-to-peer link layer discovery protocol (LLDP). Topology discovery may be limited to neighboring nodes only (e.g., reporting information corresponding only to those nodes directly connected to a given node). Any desired device within the overall convergent network may serve as a mapper operative communication device (e.g., that device which performs the mapping service such as in accordance with generating a graph corresponding to the topology indicating of connectivity among the various communication devices).

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an input for receiving a plurality of messages from a plurality of communication devices including a plurality of bridges and a plurality of end stations, each of the plurality of messages in accordance with a Layer 2 peer to peer link layer discovery protocol (LLDP) and corresponding to connectivity from a respective one of the plurality of communication devices to neighboring communication devices connected to the respective one of the plurality of communication devices via a respective direct communication link;   a processing module for:
 processing the plurality of messages thereby determining a topology indicating connectivity among the plurality of communication devices; 
 generating a graph corresponding to the topology indicating of connectivity among the plurality of communication devices; and 
   an output for transmitting the graph to at least one of the plurality of communication devices.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one of the plurality of bridges receiving at least one of the plurality of messages from at least one of the plurality of communication devices connected to the bridge via a direct communication link and forwarding the at least one of the plurality of messages to the apparatus.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the apparatus for receiving the plurality of messages only from the plurality of bridges; and   each of the plurality of bridges for:
 receiving a respective plurality of LLDP messages from those of the plurality of end stations connected thereto via a plurality of respective direct communication links; and 
 multicasting the respective plurality of LLDP messages to the apparatus. 
   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the apparatus being an end station or a bridge.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the apparatus and the plurality of communication devices implemented within a convergent network including a combination of at least two respective network types corresponding to a wireless local area network (WLAN/WiFi), a multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) network, a local area network (LAN), a HomePlug network, and a wireless point to point (P2P) system.   
     
     
         6 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an input for receiving a plurality of messages from a plurality of communication devices, each of the plurality of messages corresponding to connectivity from a respective one of the plurality of communication devices to neighboring communication devices connected to the respective one of the plurality of communication devices via a respective direct communication link; and   a processing module for processing the plurality of messages thereby determining a topology indicating connectivity among the plurality of communication devices.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 at least one of the plurality of communication devices being a bridge; and   the bridge receiving at least one of the plurality of messages from at least one of the plurality of communication devices connected to the bridge via a direct communication link and forwarding the at least one of the plurality of messages to the apparatus.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the plurality of messages being in accordance with a Layer 2 peer to peer link layer discovery protocol (LLDP).   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the plurality of communication devices including a plurality of bridges and a plurality of end stations;   the apparatus for receiving the plurality of messages only from the plurality of bridges; and   each of the plurality of bridges for:
 receiving a respective plurality of link layer discovery protocol (LLDP) messages from those of the plurality of end stations connected thereto via a plurality of respective direct communication links; and 
 multicasting the respective plurality of LLDP messages to the apparatus. 
   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the plurality of communication devices including a plurality of bridges and a plurality of end stations; and   the apparatus being an end station.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the plurality of communication devices including a plurality of bridges and a plurality of end stations; and   the apparatus being a bridge.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the processing module for generating a graph corresponding to the topology indicating of connectivity among the plurality of communication devices; and further comprising:   an output for transmitting the graph to at least one of the plurality of communication devices.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the apparatus and the plurality of communication devices implemented within a convergent network including a combination of at least two respective network types corresponding to a wireless local area network (WLAN/WiFi), a multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) network, a local area network (LAN), a HomePlug network, and a wireless point to point (P2P) system.   
     
     
         14 . A method for operating a mapper operative communication device, comprising:
 via an input, receiving a plurality of messages from a plurality of communication devices, each of the plurality of messages corresponding to connectivity from a respective one of the plurality of communication devices to neighboring communication devices connected to the respective one of the plurality of communication devices via a respective direct communication link; and   processing the plurality of messages thereby determining a topology indicating connectivity among the plurality of communication devices.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 at least one of the plurality of communication devices being a bridge; and further comprising:   operating the bridge for receiving at least one of the plurality of messages from at least one of the plurality of communication devices connected to the bridge via a direct communication link and forwarding the at least one of the plurality of messages to the apparatus.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the plurality of messages being in accordance with a Layer 2 peer to peer link layer discovery protocol (LLDP).   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the plurality of communication devices including a plurality of bridges and a plurality of end stations; and further comprising:   operating the mapper operative communication device for receiving the plurality of messages only from the plurality of bridges; and   operating each of the plurality of bridges for:
 receiving a respective plurality of link layer discovery protocol (LLDP) messages from those of the plurality of end stations connected thereto via a plurality of respective direct communication links; and 
 multicasting the respective plurality of LLDP messages to the mapper operative communication device. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the plurality of communication devices including a plurality of bridges and a plurality of end stations; and   the mapper operative communication device being an end station or a bridge.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 generating a graph corresponding to the topology indicating of connectivity among the plurality of communication devices; and further comprising:   via an output, transmitting the graph to at least one of the plurality of communication devices.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the mapper operative communication device and the plurality of communication devices implemented within a convergent network including a combination of at least two respective network types corresponding to a wireless local area network (WLAN/WiFi), a multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) network, a local area network (LAN), a HomePlug network, and a wireless point to point (P2P) system.